ISOM LAB

The Isom Lab is a research group in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School. We study the role of voltage-gated sodium channels in inherited disease, including epileptic encephalopathy and cardiac arrhythmia. Our expertise includes the study of human induced pluripotent stem cell neurons and cardiac myocytes as well as transgenic mouse models using electrophysiology, confocal imaging, and molecular and cell biological techniques.

Mutations in ion channels can lead to neurological or cardiovascular diseases called channelopathies. Our work focuses on mutations in genes encoding voltage-gated sodium channel α and β subunits that lead to a devastating pediatric epileptic encephalopathy called Dravet syndrome, a disease with a high risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). We have proposed that SUDEP arises from simultaneous arrhythmias of brain and heart due to the expression of mutant sodium channel genes in both organs. Our ultimate goals are to discover novel targets for epilepsy therapeutics and to identify biomarkers for SUDEP risk.

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
There are currently no open postdoctoral positions open.

GRADUATE STUDENTS
The lab belongs to several Michigan Ph.D. programs, including Pharmacology, Neuroscience, CMB, and Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and may accept rotation students at any time of year. Please e-mail Lori lisom@umich.edu to discuss a possible rotation. Advance notice (one month or more) is preferred.

UNDERGRADUATES
Please send an e-mail with a short note about your interest in our lab, your CV, and a transcript to Lori at lisom@umich.edu.

STAFF
There are currently no open staff positions in the lab.

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Contact

Isom Laboratory
Department of Pharmacology
University of Michigan Medical School